The Stone Roses And The Resurrection Of British Pop
John Robb
(Edbury Press)
The Stone Roses roared out of "Madchester" and became probably the most important band culturally and musically since the Sex Pistols. That they were ultimately crushed by inactivity, the pressure of expectation, internal fragmentation and copious drug-taking is well presented in John Robb's book, which sets the scene in a boisterous but evocative fashion, shot through a drug-fuelled haze of E, flares and good vibes.
Robb details the band's slow ascension from know-nothings to musical figureheads in an inspiring manner, paying particular attention to Ian Brown's overwhelming charisma and John Squire's axe-mastery. Yet while the searing brilliance of the debut LP, Fool's Gold and the Spike Island gig are captured, it's the slow depressing death, and the fact that they were eventually usurped by their less-inspired rivals (hello Oasis) that ultimately burns through.
Ben Gilbert
**** (out of 5)
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